Enduring the Impossible

by Kaytlyn Mroz

Eleven years ago, Kelly Deuchar was diagnosed with Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy; a progressive disease that keeps her in chronic pain, prevents her from developing muscle mass and will ultimately lead her to a life in a wheelchair. This past January, the 36-year-old Maple Shade resident did the unthinkable when she successfully competed in an indoor triathlon consisting of 10 minutes of swimming, 30 minutes of cycling and 20 minutes of running.

“A few people told me that I could not do it, so I wanted to prove to myself that I could,” says Deuchar who began training in April 2015.

“For me, it was never about competing against the other triathletes; it was more about competing against myself and my disease,” says Deuchar. “I felt great after completing it and am happy to say, I broke my personal best in all three rounds. I am really proud of myself for taking on a challenge that some people felt would be impossible for me to complete.”

Published (and copyrighted) in South Jersey Magazine, Volume 13, Issue 11 (February, 2017).
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